Echuca’s James McQuillan must wait six to eight weeks to determine the extent of the injury he suffered in a football match on Saturday.

His condition has been downgraded from critical to serious.

McQuillan, who was brought out of an induced coma on Monday, was airlifted to Melbourne’s Austin Hospital on Saturday after he suffered a suspected spinal injury playing for Albury in an Ovens and Murray Football League match.

The 20-year-old was awake and talking to family but remained in a neck brace.

The former Echuca player, who is in his third season with Albury since moving for university, collided with the leg of a Yarrawonga player on the wing of Albury Sportsground.

Paramedics immobilised him and he was taken to Albury Base Hospital, before being placed in an induced coma for the flight to Melbourne.

McQuillan is expected to remain in the intensive care unit for the next few days.